Low temperature phenol-formaldehyde resins and process of making same



Patented May 16, 1933 UNITED s'rATrIs PATENT orator:

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This invention relates to synthetic resin and more particularly to thesynthetic resins of the phenolformaldehyde type which are condensed inthe presence of a fixed alkali catalyst and to processes of producingsaid resin.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a clear resin oftransparent character.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a synthetic resinwhich is relatively elastic, which has relatively great tensile strengthand which is capable of being readily worked, machined and fabricatedinto various articles of commerce, arts and industry.

It is another object of the invention to provide a synthetic resin whichis capable o being colored and tinted to simulate natural stones andminerals and products of nature.

The invention also contemplates the provision of a process of making asynthetic resin having the aforesaid properties in a relastances of theglycerine type are dehydrators,

as well as plasticizers. Then the mass is dehydrated practically,completely, preferably by the application of heat in presence of avacuum.

When substantially all of the water is removed the resinous mass isready for casting or pouring into open molds. The cast resin isvulcanized or hardened by the application of heat at a temperaturesubstantially below the boiling point of water (100 C.).

The following specific examples are given for illustrative purposes andfor a better un- Application ma 11 m as, mo. Serial no. new.

derstanding of the invention by those skilled in the art.

Example N 0. 1

About one part of U. S. P. henol is mixed with about 2.25 parts of 40%S. P. aqueous formaldehyde solution. A fixed alkaline catalyst such asc. 'p. potassium hydroxide is added to the aforesaid phenol-formaldehydemixture to the extent of about 0.0375 parts. The latter mixture isheated for a period of about 2 to 3 or 4 hours at a temperature belowthe boiling point of water (100 0.). The temperature preferably usedlies within a range extending from about C. to about C. or C.

Water is removed fromthe resinous mass by the application of a vacuumwhich is preferably as comgilete as possible. Due to the evaporation 0water the temperature of the resin mass falls to about 35 C. to about 40C. This fall in temperature is compensated by the application of heatpreferably in the form of indirect steam heat. In other words, thetemperature of the mass first falls to a low point and then comes backto the original temperature lying within a range extending from about 55to 65 C. After the expiration of the said period, the potassium ydroxideis neutralized with about 0.0739 parts of c. p. lactic acid. After theneutralization is complete about 0.25 parts to about 0.32 parts ofglycerine-are added. A r

temperature below the boiling point of water is maintained in thepresence of a vacuum until the mass is completely dehydrated.

A convenient way for testing whether the mass is dehydrated or not is totake a sample of resin and drop it into a beaker of water which has atemperature of about 11, 12 or 13 C. If the resin forms a globule orball which is relatively hard when pressed between the thumb and firstfinger then the resin is finished.

Upon dehydration the resin mass is ready to be cast into molds. The castresin is then hardened in a vulcanizer at a temperature substantiallybelow the boiling point of I C. to about 85 C. The period of timeusually employed for hardening or vulcanizing the resin varies fromabout 100 or 175 hours to about 200 hours. After vulcanization, theresin mass is practically a substantially transparent. body which readyfor use in commerce, industry and the arts.

Ewa'mple N10. 2

.;The procedure employed herein is substantially the same as in ExampleNo. 1. In the present instance about one part of U. S. P. phenol ismixed with about 1.75 parts 40% U. S. P. formaldehyde solution to form aphenol-formaldehyde mixture. To this mixture 0.028 parts of c. p. sodiumhydroxide are added. The mixture is heated for a period of about 2 to 3hours at a temperature below the boiling point of water (100 C.). Thetemperature is preferably maintained within a range of about 60 C. toabout 70 C. or about 82 C. or below.

Water is removed from the resinous mass by the application of a vacuumwhich is preferably ias'complete as possible. Due to the evaporation ofwater the temperature of the resin mass falls. This fall in temperatureis compensated by the applicat on of heat preferably in the form ofindirect steam heat. In other words the temperature of the mass firstfalls to a low point and then comes back to the original temperaturelying within a range extending from about 55 to 65 C. After theexpiration of the said period, the potassium hydroxide is neutralizedwith about 0.063 parts of c. p. lactic acid. After the neutralization iscomplete about 0.275 parts of water white glycerine are added. Atemperature below the boiling point of water is maintained in thepresence of a vacuum until the mass is completely dehydrated.

After the addition of lactic acid and glycerine as aforesaid, theresinous mass is dehydrated by the application of a vacuum in thepresence of low heat, preferably indirect steam heat. The low heat andvacuum are continued until the mass is dehydrated as described inconnection with Example No. 1. After dehydration the mass is ready to becast or poured into open molds which are vulcanized or hardened in thesame way as set forth in Example No. 1. When the resin has beencompletely vulcanized and hardened it is ready for use.

Example No. 3

The same procedure is employed in this example as that employed inExamples Nos. 1 and'2 but the parts of reacting materials 60 are asfollows:

1.0 parts U. S. P. phenol. 2.6 parts 30% U. S. P. aqueous formaldehydesolution. 0.033 parts of C. P. sodium hydroxide. 0.075 parts C. P.lactic acid.

0.35 parts glycerine.

In the foregoing examples, it is to be observed that about 1.25 parts byweight of phenol to about 1.0 part by weight of formaldehyde, glycerinein excess of about 0.25 parts by weight, and about 0.033 parts by weightof c. p. fixed alkali are used in the production of the new resin.

The present synthetic resin is quite clear and may be used for theproduction of various articles. Moreover, the resin issubstantially fireretardant and is relatively inert to many oils and reagents.Furthermore, the present low temperature resin is relatively elastic andis relatively non-brittle and can be worked and fabricated by the use ofmethods usually employed when Working with wood or the like. Y

It is to be observed that thepresent invention provides a process forproducing a low temperature phenol-formaldehyde synthetic resin made byreacting phenol and formaldehyde in the proportion of about 1 part orabout 1.25 parts by Weight of the former to about 0.8 parts or about 1.0part by weight of the latter. The amount of formaldehyde used dependsupon the final product and the form of raw material. In other Words,when formaldehyde is used as a 30% or a 40% aqueous formaldehydesolution, about 1.75 parts of the latter and about 2.6 parts of theformer are used. The phenol-formaldehyde mass contains a fixed alkalicatalyst which is present to an extent of about 0.033 or 0.028 or 0.030to 0.0375 parts by weight. Of course, when the fixed alkali catalyst,such as caustic soda or caustic potash, is used in the form of asolution an increased amount of solution will have to be used dependingupon the dilution or concentration of the solution as those skilled inthe art will readily understand.

Thus, when a 20% fixed alkali hydroxide solution'is used about 0.140 toabout0.190 parts by weight may be used. Subsequently, the fixed alkalicatalyst is neutralized by the addition of about 0.063 to about 0.075parts by I solution. During the process or prior to final heating, about0.25 or 0.28 to about 0.32 or 0.35 parts by weight of glycerine areadded. Variations and modifications of the specific proportions hereingiven are Within the purview of the present specification and claims asthose skilled in the art will understand.

It is to be observed that the present invention produces a clear andtransparent resin which is different from the resin produced by theprocesses set forth in my co-pending ap lications Serial Nos. 478,543;478,545; an 478,546. The first of said applications produces atranslucent resin; the second produces an opaque ivory colored resinresembling natural ivory; and the third produces an opaque whiteresinresembling marble.

tions, 1t will be observed that the use of equivalents and variationsmay be resorted to without de arting from the spirit of the invention asefined in the appended claims.

I claim p '1. The process of producing a low temperaturephenol-formaldehyde resin which com rises reacting phenol and asubstance yiel ing formaldehyde in the proportion of about 1.25 parts byweight of p enol to about 1.00 part by weight of formaldehyde in theresence of about 0.140 to'about 0.190 parts y weight of a 20% fixedalkali hydroxide solution under non-reflux conditions, heating the saidphenol-formaldehyde mass without boiling the'same at a low heatsubstantially below about 100 C. for a period of about 2 to about 4hours to form a resinous mass, a plying a vacuum to said resinous.

resinous mass to counteract the tendency of the temperature to fall,adding substantially pure lactic acidto substantially neutralize thealkali, continuing the application of said low heat below about 100 C.and vacuum, adding glycerine to said resinous mass in excess of about0.25 parts by weight, continuing the application of said vacuum and saidheat until a sample of the mass when dropped into cold water congeals toa globule having just suflicient hardness to yield slightly whensqueezed between the fingers, thereafter pouring said mass into molds,and subjecting said molds to a low heat at a temperature substantiallyunder about 100 C. for a period up to 200 hours to harden said resinousmass.

2. The process of producing a low temperature phenol-formaldehyde resinwhich comprises reacting about 1.25 parts by weight-of phenol withaqueous formaldehvde containing about 1.00 part by weight offormaldehyde in the presence of about 0.030 parts by weight of a c. p.fixed alkali hydroxide under non-reflux conditions, heating said masswithout boiling the same at a temperature of about 60 C. to about 80 C.for a period of about 2 to about 4 hours to form a resinous mass, uponthe termination of the said period applying a vacuum to elfect theevaporation of water, the temperature of the mass falling to atemperature of about 35 C. to about 40 C.. continuing the application ofheat to raise the temperature of said mass to a temperature of about 60C. to about 80 C., adding about 0.06 parts to about 0.075 parts byweight of substantially pure lactic acid to substantially neutralizesaid alkali catalyst,

continuing the application of said low heat andwacuum, add c. p. waterwhite glycerme in proportion 0 about 0.25 parts to about 0.35 parts byweight, continuing the appli-' cation of said vacuum and heat to efiectdehydration theresinous mass, discontinuing the aforesaid operation whena sample of the resinous mass, upon being dropped in water having atemperature of about 11 C. to about 13 C., congeals to. a globule havingjust sufficient hardness to ,yield slightly ,when

squeezed between the fingers, then curing the res nous mass into moldsand su jecting said molds to heat at a temperature of about 76 C. toabout 82 C. for a period up to about 200 hours to harden and solidifythe said resmousmass.

3. The process of producing a low temperature phenol-formaldehyde resinwhich comprises react ng a mass of henol and substance yieldingformaldehydh in the proportion of about 1.25'parts by weight of phenolto about 1.00 part by weight of formaldehyde in the presence of about0.006 parts by weight of a c. p. fixed alkali catalyst under non-refluxconditions, heating the said mass without boiling the same at a low heatsubstantially below the boiling point of water for a period of about 2to about 4 hours, applying a vacuum to said mass after the, terminationof said period whereby water is evaporated and the temperature of saidmass tends to fall, continuing the application'of said low heat tomaintain the temperature of said mass substantially below the boilingpoint of water, adding 0. p. lactic acid to neutralize said alkahcatalyst, continuing the application of said low heat and vacuum, adding0. p. glycerine in the proportion of about 0.28 to about 032 parts byweight, continuing the applicat1on of said vacuum and heat to eflectdehydration of said mass, discontinuing said operation when a sample ofthe resinous mass upon being dropped into cold water congeals to aglobule having just sufiicient hardness to yleld slightly when squeezedbetween the fingers, then pouring the resinous mass into molds, andsubjecting said molds to heat at a temperature of about 76 C. to about82 C. or below for a period up to about 200 hours.

v4. The process of producing a low temperature phenol-formaldehyde resinwhich. comprises reacting a mass of phenol and substance yieldingformaldehyde in the proportion of about 1.25 parts by weight phenol toabout 1.0 part by weight of formaldehyde in the presence of a fixedalkali catalyst under non-reflux conditions, heating the saidphenol-formaldehyde mass without boiling the same substantially at lowheat under 100 C. for a period of about 2 to about 4 hours, applying avacuum to the said mass after the termination of said period wherebywater is evaporated and the temperature of mass tends to fall,continuing heating said mass substantially under 100 I o. 'to counteractthe toadple of the mass when dropped into cold water congeals to alobule having just suflicient hardness to yie d slightly when squeezed between the fingers, thereafter pour ng said mass into molds, andsubjecting 881d molds to a low heat at a temperature substantially under100 C. for a period up to 200 hours to harden said resinous mass.

5. The process of producing a low temperature phenol-formaldehyde resinwhich comprises reacting a mass of phenol and a sub stance yieldingformaldehyde in the proportion of about 1.25. parts by weight of (phenolto about 1.0 part by weight of formal ehyde in the presence of a fixedalkali catalyst under non-reflux conditions, heating the saidphenol-formaldehyde mass without boiling the same at low heatsubstantially below about 100 C. for a. periodof about 2 toabout 4hours, applying a vacuum to the said mass after the termination of saidperiod whereby water is evaporated and the temperature of mass tends tofall, continuing heating sub stantially below about 100 C. said mass tocounteract the tendency of temperature tofall, adding 0. p. lacticacid'to substantially neutralize said alkali catalyst, continuing theapplication of said low heat substantially below about 100 C. andvacuum, adding glycerine in proportion of about 0.25 to about 0.35 partsby weight, continuing the ap lication of said low heat substantially lowabout 100 C. and vacuum and pouring the liquid resin into molds.

q 6. A solid low temperature synthetic resin made by reacting a mass ofphenol and substance yielding formaldehyde in the proportion ofabout"1.25 parts by weight of henol to about 1.0 part by weight offormal ehyde in the presence of a-fixed alkali catalyst under non-refluxconditions, heating the said phenol-formaldehyde mass containing the xedalkali catalyst without boiling the same at low heat substantially belowabout 100 C. for. a period of about 2 to about 4 hours, applying avacuum to the said mass whereby water is evaporated and the temperatureof mass tends to fall, continuing heating said mass substantially below100 C. to counteract the tendency of temperature to fall, adding 0. p.lactic acid to substantially neu tralize said alkali catalyst,continuing the application of said low heat substantially below about100 C. and vacuum, adding glycerine in excess of about 0.25 parts byweight, continuing the application of said vacuum and heat substantiallybelow 100 C. to effect detiall'y under 100C. for a-period up to 200hours to harden said resinous mass.

7. A low temperature synthetic resin mad by reacting a mass ofphenol-and substance yielding formaldehyde in the proportion of about1.25 arts by weight of phenol to about 1.00 parts y weight'offormaldehyde in the presence of about 0.030 partsby weight of a c. p.fixed alkali catalyst under non-reflux conditions, heating the" saidmass without boiling the same at a low heat substantially below theboiling point of water for a period of -about 2 to about 4 hours,applying a vacuum to said mass whereby water is evaporatedv and thetemperature of said mass tends to fall, continuing-the application ofheat substantially below the boiling point of water to maintain the-temerature of said mass, adding 0. p. lactic acid to neutralize said alkalicatalyst,- continuing the application of said heat substantially belowthe boiling point of water and vacuum, adding c. p. glycerine in theproportion of about 0.25 to about 0.35 parts by weight, continuing theapplication of said vacuum and said heat'subs'tantially below theboiling point of water to effect dehydration of said mass, discontinuingsaid operation when a sample of the resinous mass upon being droppedinto coldwater congeals to a globule having just suflicient hardness toyield slightly when squeezed between the fingers, then pouring theresinous mass into molds, and subjecting the resinous mass in said moldsto heat at a temperature of about 76 C. to 82 C. or below for a periodup to 200 hours.

8. A low temperature synthetic resin made by reacting about 1.25 partsby weight of henol with aqueous formaldehyde containmg about 1.00 partby weight of formaldehyde in the presence of about 0.030 parts by weightof c. p. fixed alkali hydroxide, heating said .mass at a temperature ofabout 60 C. to about C. for a period of about v2 to about 4 hours toform a resinous mass, applying a vacuum to assist in effecting theevaporation of water, the. temperature of the mass tending to fall to atemperature of about 35 C. to about 40 C., continuing the application ofheat to raise the temperature of said mass to a temperature of about 60C. to about 80 (1, adding about 0.06 parts to about .075 parts by weightof substantially pure lactic acid to substantially neutralize saidalkali catalyst, continuing the application of said heat and vacuum,addin c. p water white glycerine in proportion 0 about 0.25 parts toabout 0.35 parts by weight confor a period of about 2 to about4 hoursunder Y non-reflux conditions to form a resinous vacuum,

. neutralize t mass, applying a vacuum 'tothesaid mass whereby water iseva rature of mass ten to "fall, continuing ating said mass substantiallunder 100 C. :to counteract the tendency 0 temperature to-fall, addingc. p. lactic acidto substantially neutralize said alkali" catalyst,continuing the application of said low heat and a ing-about"'0.25 toabout 035 parts "by weight glycerine-to the' mass pr or to finalheating, continuing the application of said low heat and vacuum, curingthe liquid resin into molds and'sub ectin and molds to a low heat at atemperature 'su stantially'under 100 "C; to harden the's'aid resin.

' 14. The rocess of producing a low temperature p enol-formaldehyderesin--which comprises reacting about onepart by weight of a phenol withabout 0.7 to about 0.9 parts by weight of formaldeh dein the presence ofa fixed alkali hydroxi e, heating said mass without boiling the same ata temperature substantially under 100 C. under non-reflux conditions toform a resinous mass, a plying a vacuum to efi'ect the evaporation 0water, the temperature of themass tending to fall,

continuing the application of heat to raise' the temperature of saidmassto a temperature substantially under 100 0., adding 0. p." lactic acidto substantially neutralize said alkali catalyst, continuing theapplication of said heat substantially below 100 C. and said vacuum toeffect deh dration of the liquid resinous mass, and adding about 0.25 toabout 0.35 parts by weight of glycerine to the-mass durm the aforesaidoperations.

15. A solid ow temperature henol-formaldehyde synthetic resin made yreacting henol and a substance yielding formaldehyde in the proportionof about 1.25 parts by weight of phenol to about 1.00 part by weight offormaldehyde in the presence of a fixed alkali catalyst, heating thesaid phenol-formaldehyde mass at a low heat substantially under 100 C.for a period of about 2 to about 4 hoursto form a resinous mass,applying a vacuum to said resinous mass whereby water is evaporated andthe temperature of the resinous mass tends to fall, continuing heatingsaid resinous mass substantially under 100 C. to counteract the tendencyof the temperature to fall, adding substantially pure lactic acid tosubstantially e alkali catalyst, continuing the application of said loweat and vacuum, adding about 0.25 to about 0.35 parts by on phenol withabout 0.7 rated and the temwei hs of glycol-inc itssis: m "iii-as,

v bout 100 C; for a period up w 2 Durst, nvs id resinous mass. Y

by weight offormaldeh dein'the presence of afixed alkali hydrox" e,heating said mass without boiling the same at a' ;temperaturesubstantiallyunder 100 C. under non-reflux conditions to form a resinousmass, a plying a vacuum" to-efi'e'ctfthe evaporation o water, "the tem Iv perature ofthe tending continuing the ap lication" of'heat thetemperature 0? said ture' substantially under stantiallyf pure lacticacid to substantially neutralize said alkali'ca'talyst, continuing theapplication of said heat substantiallybelow 100C." and said vacuum toefi'ect dehydration of the resinous mass, adding about 0.25 to about0.35 parts by weight of glycerine to the mass durin the aforesaidoperations, pourm the resinous mass into 'moldsand subjecting saidmoldsto heat at'a temperature substantially below 100; C. to harden andsolidify the said resinous mass.

17. A solid low temlperaturesynthetic resin made by reacting p enoland'a substance yielding formaldehyde in the'proportion of about;1.00'art by weightof phenol to about 0.80 parts y weight of formaldehyde inthe presence of a fixed alkali catalyst, heatin the saidlphenol-formaldehyde mass without iling t e same at a low heatsubstantially under 100 C. under non-reflux conditions to. form aresinous mass, applying a vacuum to said resinous mass whereby water isevaporated and the temperature of the resinous mass tends to fall,continuing heating said resinous mass substantially under 100 C. tocounteract the tendency of the temperature to fall, addin substantiallyure lactic acid to substantial y neutralize tl fe alkali-catalyst,continuing the application of said low heat and vacuum, adding about0.25 to about 0.35 parts by weight of glycerine to said resinous mass,continuing the application of said vacuum and said heat, pouring saidmass into molds, and subjecting the mass in said molds to alow heat at atemperature substantially under about 100 C. to harden said resinousmass.

18. A low temperature synthetic resin produced by the process set forthin claim 10 having a clear transparent straw color.

'19. A solid low temperature synthetic resin produced by the process setforth in claim 12, said resin bein relatively non-brittle, being capableof pr ucing a relatively long, practically unbroken rlbbon or shavingwhen to fall, t r s mass to a" temperato about 0.9 parts 100 0., addingQua Y tinuing the application of said vacuum and heat substantiallybelow about 100 G. to effect dehydrationthe resinous mass, discontinuingthe aforesaid operation when a sample of the resinous mass, upon beingdropped ous mass.

9. A low-temperature synthetic resin made by reacting henol and asubstance yielding formaldeh e in the proportion of about 1.25 weight ofphenol to about 1.00

go parts byweight of formaldehyde in the presence of a fixed alkalicatalyst under non-reflux conditions, heating the said phenolformaldeh'de mass at a low heat substantially below a ut 100 C. for a period ofabout 2 to as about 4 hours to form a resinous mass, applying a vacuumto said resinous mass whereby water is evaporated and the temperature ofthe resinous mass tends to fall, continuing heating said resinous massto counteract so the tendency of the temperature to fall, addingsubstantially pure lactic acid to neutralize the alkali cata yst,contlnuing the application of said low eat and vacuum, addm glycerine tosaid resinous mass in excess 86 about 0.25 parts by weight, continuingthe application of said vacuum and said heat until a sample of the masswhen dropped into cold water congeals to a lobule having just suflicienthardness to iel slightly when squeezed between the gers, thereafterouring said mass into molds, and sub ectmg the resinous mass in saidmolds to a low heat of a temperature substantially under about 100 C.for a period up to 200 hours to harden said resinous mass.

10. The process of producing a low temperature phenol-formaldehyde resmwhich comprisesreacting about one part by weight of a phenol with about0.7 to about 0.9 parts by weight of formaldeh de in the presence of afixed alkali hydroxi e, heating said mass without boiling the same at atemperature substantially under 100 C. under non-reflux conditions toform a resinous mass, applying a vacuum to assist inefiectingtheevaporation of water, the temperature 0 the mass tending to fall,continuing the application of heat to raise the temperature of said massto a temperature substantially under 100 0., adding 0. lactic acid tosubstantially neutralize said alkali catalyst, continuing theapplication of said heat substantiall below 100 C. and said vacuum toeffect ehydration of the resinous mass, adding glycerine in excess ofabout 0.25 parts by weight to the Looms? mass during the aforesaidoperations, then pouring the resinous mass into molds andsubecting saidmolds to heat at a tem rature' substantially below 100 C. to bar on andsolidif the said resinous mass.

11. e recess of producing a low temperature p enol-formaldehyde resinwhich comprises reactin phenol and a substance yiel ing formaldehyde inthe proportion of about 1.25 parts by weight of phenol to about 1.00part by weight of formaldehyde in the presence 0 a fixed alkalicatalyst, heating the said lphenol-formaldeh de mass without boiling t esame at a low eat substantially under 100 C. for a period of about 2 toabout 4 hours under non-reflux conditions to form a resinous mass,applying a vacuum to said resinous mass whereby water is evaporated andthe temperature of the resinous mass tends to fall, continuing heatingsaid resinous mass substantiall under 100 C. to counteract the-tendencyo the temperature to fall, adding substantially pure lactic acid toneutralize the alkali catalyst, continuing the application of said heatand said vacuum, adding about 0.25 to about 0.35 parts by weight ofglycerine to said resinous mass, continuing the application of saidvacuum and heat until a sample of the mass when dropped into cold watercongeals to a globule having just sufiicient hardness to yield slightlwhen squeezed between the fingers, therea ter pouring said mass intomolds, and subjecting the mass in said molds to a low heat atatemperature substantially under about 100 C. to harden said resinousmass.

12. The process of producing a low temperature phenol-formaldehyde resinwhich comprises reactin phenol and'a substance yielding formaldehyde inthe proportion of about 1.00 part by wei ht of phenol to about 0.80parts by weight 0 formaldehyde in the presence oi a fixed alkalicatalyst, heating the said phenol-formaldeh de mass without boiling thesame at a low eat substantially under 100 C. under non-reflux conditionsto form a resinous mass ap lying a vacuum to said resinous mass where ywater is evaporated and the temperature of the resinous mass tends tofall, continuing heating said resinous mass substantially under 100 C.to counteract the tendency of the temperature to fall, adding 0. p.lactic acid to neutralize the alkali catalyst, continuing theapplication of said low heat and said vacuum, adding about 0.25 to about0.35 parts by weight.

of glycerine prior to final heatin to said resinous mass, continuing theappllcation of said vacuum and said heat, pouring said mass into molds,and subjecting the mass in said molds to a low heat at a temperaturesubstantially under about 100 C. to harden said resinous mass.

13. The process of producing a low temperature phenol-formaldehyde resinwhich llli without boiling turned on a lathe, and having a clear,transparent straw color.

20. A solid low temperature synthetic resin produced by the process setforth in claim 13, said resin being relativel tou h, strong and elasticand being capa le 0 bending quite readily when submerged in hot water inthe form of a small rod, and having a clear, transparent straw color.

21. The process of producing a low temperature phenol-formaldehyde resinwhich comprises reacting about one part by weight of a phenol with about0.7 to about 0.9 parts by weight of formaldeh de in the presence of afixed alkali hydroxi e, heating said mass without boiling the same at atemperature substantially under C. under non-reflux conditions to form aresinous mass, applying a vacuum to effect the evaporation of water, thetemperature of the mass tending to fall, continumg the application ofheat to raise the temperature of said mass to a temperaturesubstantially under 100 C., adding substantially pure lactic acid tosubstantially neutralize said alkali catalyst, continuing theapplication of said heat substantially below 100 C. and said vacuum toeffect dehydration of the resinous mass, adding about 0.25 to about 0.35parts by weight of glycerine to the mass, continuing the application ofsaid 7 heat and said vacuum, pourlng the resinous mass into molds andsubjecting said molds to heat at a temperature substantially below 100C. to harden and solidify the said resinous mass.

22. A solid low temperature synthetic resin made by reacting about onepart by weight of a phenol with about 0.7 to about 0.9 parts by weightof formaldehyde in the presence of a fixed alkali hydroxide, heatingsaid mass the same at a temperature substantially under 100 C. undernon-reflux conditions to form a resinous mass, applying a vacuum toeffect the evaporation of water, the temperature of the mass tending tofall, continuing the application of heat to raise the temperature ofsaid-mass to a tem rature substantially under 100 (3., addingsubstantially pure lactic acid to substantially neutralize said alkalicatalyst, continuing the application of said heat substantially below100 C. and said vacuum to efi'ect dehydration of the resinous mass,adding about 0.25 to about 0.35 parts by weight of glycerine to the masscontinuing the application of said heat and said vacuum, pouring theresinous mass into molds and subjecting said molds to heat at a temerature substantially below 100 C. to bar en and solidify the saidresinous mass.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand.

OSKAR PANTKE.

